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Nokes in unstoppable mood for Phoenix

Nokes in unstoppable mood for Phoenix

Phoenix were comprehensive 55-0 winners over Barry Ladies in a National Division 1 league match at the Recreation ground, scoring nine tries in the process.

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A strong opening scrum from the home side put Phoenix on the front foot and outside half Rhian Nokes looped around centre Charlotte Mundy to free up Hannah Seward who raced over wide out.

The next scrum brought Phoenix their second try, Amy Stevens breaking away on the blindside and good support play from Katie Murphy saw Caitlin Smith twist through the final tackle to score.

Phoenix soon got a third, Seward counter attacking from her own 22 before linking with Stevens who sent Nokes racing away from around 40 metres for arguably the try of the match.

The home side were now playing with abandon and good inter-passing between Stevens and Mundy saw the versatile Mundy romp away to score under the posts for the bonus point try, Nokes converted.

Nokes, who was enjoying a fine match, was again soon in the picture, stepping her opposite number to break clean away to score a fine individual try and add the extras to give Phoenix a 29-0 lead at the break.

The now dominant home scrum provided the next score, driving the visitors pack backwards on their own ball and the alert Mundy capitalised to ground the ball which had popped out of the retreating scrummage, Nokes converted.

Barry then enjoyed a period of pressure camped on the Phoenix line but a resolute home defence held firm, Mundy eventually ripping out possession on her own line to allow full back Leanne Burnell to clear to touch.
Phoenix returned to the attack and a penetrative run from replacement centre Jade Mullen saw Nokes race away from 22 metres for try hat-trick before adding the extras.

Skipper Stevens then deservedly got on the scoresheet, fending off several defenders in a determined run to score at the posts, Nokes converted. Phoenix then got their final try with prop forward Elleri Harries Thomas showing good hands in midfield and Burnell needed no second invitation to race away to score wide out.

This was a good all round team performance from Phoenix and they can look forward with confidence to the season ahead.

For Phoenix Amy Stevens was named best forward with Rhian Nokes best back. For a plucky Barry side scrum half Hannah O’Neill and loose head prop Lucy Cahill were chosen as their best players by Phoenix.
 

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